The tuition fees were set much lower than in the city—not to make money, but to control the number of students. Otherwise, they could not bear the expense; supporting scholars was no small cost.
While discussing the plan, Lu Yang realized just how few family members the Xie household had.
If they could leave a few Xie relatives in the ancestral home, the celebration would truly feel complete. For now, development had to start from their branch; it would take several generations of growth for the family to become a major clan.
Lu Yang touched his belly and thought to himself that two children were still too few. Why couldn’t he have eight or ten? Then, when the children grew up, there would always be enough to take care of things here and there.
With the important matters arranged, the rest were household affairs.
The house could not be rebuilt, but they decorated it with red paper flowers, made it festive inside and out. Supplies were gathered, extra firewood stacked, water kept hot for days, and plenty of food purchased—all awaiting Xie Yan’s return to welcome him home.
Amid the bustle, his birthday passed.
By April, Lu Yang’s belly had grown so large he could barely see the ground and needed someone to support him while walking.
Perhaps buoyed by two rounds of good news, he was in high spirits despite his cumbersome body and aching back. His mind kept thinking of Xie Yan, wishing he would arrive home immediately, but whenever he stepped outside, his face was glowing, smiling.
As the due date approached, he could not afford to be idle. When in good condition, he walked the fields; once he reached his limit, he returned inside to rest.
The midwife said the birth was imminent. A physician confirmed the children were about to arrive and advised the household to prepare.
Lu Yang insisted on sending his younger brother away, not allowing him to stay overnight. Night shifts were exhausting and prolonged, and with Lu Yang near labor, he needed others to care for him. Zhao Peilan stayed two days, Chen Guizhi another two, and even suggested that Shun Ge’er assist.
Xie Yan traveled overnight and returned home late that day.
The household had already distributed the food, predicting he would not make it back in time. As he entered the alley, Li Feng, out walking his dog and children, spotted him and shouted. One by one, every courtyard lit up, each voice layering over the next to welcome the zhuangyuan home.
Entering Sanshui Lane, Xie Yan heard the familiar dialect and felt an immediate ease. The fatigue drained from him, and though exhausted, he smiled genuinely.
The same words of congratulations—even the dry phrasing of Sanshui Lane—brought immense joy to his ears.
He asked about Lu Yang and his mother, and upon learning both were well and Lu Yang had not yet delivered, a weight lifted from his heart. With a proud tilt of his chin, he exclaimed:
“I was going to top the exams, I’ve never come in second! This trip to the capital, I visited many senior brothers, received so many gifts, our study is blessed! Godfather will have a hard time, hahaha!”
His loud voice carried outside; Lu Yang inside could not sit still, rising from the kang to peek. Xie Yan walked toward home, speaking all the way, reaching the door and sending Luo Dayong out of the way.
“Except for the exam hall, I always take Big Brother with me. You can ask him! I’m going to see my mother and my husband now!”
Zhao Peilan, hearing the commotion, came out, and upon seeing the two together, could not stop crying. All the hopes she had harbored since his infancy, all the care and expectations she had held during pregnancy, all the anxieties they had carried without support—finally, all fulfilled.
Since Xie Yan’s father passed, she had felt uneasy, her mind unsettled. These past two good years had restored her strength, and today, with such joy, tears flowed freely as she kept repeating: “Your father would be so happy.”
Xie Yan bowed to her, escorted her back to her room, then offered incense and kowtows to his father’s tablet.
Zhao Peilan watched his tall, upright figure and wept again. Her child had finally come into his own.
After soothing his mother, Xie Yan returned to Lu Yang, who had already gathered himself. The couple met, wordlessly at first, their eyes and smiles warm and bright.
Outside, preparations continued—water boiled, meals cooked.
Dust-covered from the journey, Xie Yan did not dare climb onto the kang. He dragged a chair to its head and sat. Snow had fallen on the road during his exam travel; now it was summer, with mosquitoes flying.
Lu Yang saw a mosquito bite on his face and pressed a cross-shaped mark on it, smiling. But seeing the red veins in his eyes, he could not help but cry.
“Tired? Was everything alright in the capital? You look thinner, all skin and bones.”
Xie Yan took his hand, pressed his cheek against it, smiling childishly, eyes shining. He rarely saw Lu Yang cry; witnessing it, he held back his own tears to support him.
He said, “I only felt tired after the exams. Everything came at once. I didn’t understand much and just followed orders. Each procedure was formal, solemn; even smiling had to follow etiquette. The exams themselves were fine; during the long exam, I fiddled with beans, arranged them in patterns—didn’t feel too hard.”
Lu Yang asked what he did in the capital. Listening, he could feel Xie Yan’s exhaustion.
They went to the capital for exams shortly after arrival, which was understandable. After the provincial exams, there was over ten days of waiting. Xie Yan visited senior brothers, received many books, and attended two banquets with familiar friends. Other times, the group avoided gathering to keep emotions stable. He could not sleep, nor focus on reading, so he drew, sometimes his experiences, sometimes portraits, often late into the night.
He did not admit to not sleeping; after exams, he rested a day or two, but avoided idleness.
“I feel my mind is all tangled; it’s better to stay busy,” he said.
He worried most about Lu Yang’s delivery, carrying constant concern. In the capital, even when speaking with Wu Pingzhi, he dared not mention it for fear of worry.
Lu Yang shifted on the kang, suggesting he rest. Xie Yan shook his head.
Bathing was difficult for Lu Yang with his size. If Xie Yan climbed onto the kang dirty, it would trouble him.
During the day, the household prepared plenty of food. By evening, when Xie Yan had not yet returned, they distributed it. Since he came home late, the welcome banquet could not be held; he ate noodles instead.
Hot water was ready; after half a bowl, he went to bathe, just wiping his hair, intending to wash properly the next day.
Lu Yang suggested they switch: Xie Yan could sleep with Li Feng, and he would stay with his husband.
“My brother is about to give birth. These days we need to be careful. You just returned and will sleep soundly. He won’t wake you. I’ll stay.”
Xie Yan politely refused; he would not sleep that deeply.
Their two little ones were surprisingly sensible.
As predicted, once Xie Yan rested for two days, Lu Yang’s labor began. By midday, the birth was complete—two little boys.
The entire courtyard rang with joyous shouts, mingled with loud cries of the infants.
Xie Yan rushed inside to care for Lu Yang, feeding him medicinal broth.
The dark brown liquid left only a stain along his pale chin.
Lu Yang teased, “Your hands shake.”
Xie Yan did shake, the more he tried to control it, the worse it got.
He said, “Jingzhi, you’ve given birth to two children.”
Lu Yang wanted to smile but could not; his abdomen ached, and he silenced him.
The delivery had not been arduous; he had always kept busy. Months of separation and reunion had brought them to a new milestone—they were beginning a new chapter of life.
Now, their family had two more children.
Lu Yang had Xie Yan hold the babies, pressing their tiny faces in turn, thinking back to when he had imagined the lives he would provide for his future children—then, in poverty and uncertainty, he had only dared to wish for sustenance.
